NSW; Carr declares fire emergency

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-1999
NSW; Carr declares fire emergency

SYDNEY, Feb 18 AAP - New South Wales Premier Bob Carr has declared a state of emergency for
a massive bushfire burning out of control in the state's south.

It gives Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg the power to call on the state's
entire bushfire fighting resources to deal with the blaze near Crookwell on the southern
tablelands.

More than 400 firefighters with 60 tankers, two planes and a helicopter are battling to
bring under control the blaze raging over 5,000 hectares of grassland, fanned by
south-south-west winds gusting up to 55 kilometres an hour.

A spokesman for the NSW Rural Fire Service said the fire, which started yesterday, was some
30 kilometres from Abercrombie National Park.

A derelict house had been destroyed, but so far no other homes were in immediate danger,
the spokesman said.

Mr Carr said a senior officer from his department had been sent to assess the situation and
was due to report back this afternoon.

The Premier said one farmer reported losing 2,000 sheep.

"This appeared to be a tragic loss for people who are always doing it hard and we want to
make sure these families get all the help we're able to offer," he said.

AAP ns/sb/mw/it

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW SECOND LEAD

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